Trash Truck Fire Stalls Traffic on Prince William Parkway

An American Disposal Services garbage truck caught fire late Friday morning on the southbound side of Prince William Parkway. Photo by Jason Shaw

The load on a American Disposal Services garbage truck caught fire and shut down a lane of traffic for four hours on Prince William Parkway at Clover Hill Road Friday afternoon.

According to Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue Communications Specialist Kim Y. Hylander, at 11:37 a.m. emergency crews took the load off the truck and extinguished the fire.

"A cleaning company was called in to assist with cleanup," Hylander said. "234 north re-opened at 3:36 p.m."

American Disposal Services of Manassas did not release the definitive cause of the fire, but suggests the improper disposal of flammable items was most likely the reason the truck's load caught fire.

"Nine out of ten times household chemicals or rechargeable phone batteries normally," Director of  Public Relations Anna Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson suggested that residents take the time to properly dispose of these items to avoid future incidents.